The families of six people who died after eating at a Malaysian restaurant in Taiwan will receive a record NT$10.8 million (S$436,944) in government compensation, reported Taiwan News.
Each family will get NT$1.8 million (S$72,824) under Taiwan’s Crime Victim Rights Protection Act, setting a new record for compensation in a food safety case in Taiwan.
The fatal food poisoning incident occurred in March last year at Polam Kopitiam’s Xinyi branch in Taipei, where 33 people fell ill after consuming meals at the restaurant between 19 and 24 March 2024.
Six victims — three men and three women aged between 39 and 66 — died from the poisoning.
One of the deceased was a 40-year-old Malaysian man.
The Victims
The oldest victim, identified only as Mr Yang, was admitted to the hospital with diarrhoea and chest tightness after eating fried flat noodles at the restaurant.
He later died from multiple organ failure.
Another victim, 39-year-old Mr Lv, received emergency treatment on 23 March 2024, for diarrhoea and vomiting just one day after consuming fried flat noodles and a pandan drink. He died of acute renal failure.
A 53-year-old woman who ate “Fried Kuey Teow with Creamy Egg” (flat rice noodles with creamy egg) at the restaurant in late March developed vomiting and diarrhoea and sought medical attention on 25 March.
She died of multiple organ failure after her damaged liver resulted in multiple infections.
Investigation Findings
Investigations revealed that flat rice noodles — a key ingredient in dishes consumed by all victims — were the source of the deadly poisoning.
A preliminary investigation by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare determined that bongkrekic acid, a rare and deadly toxin, was detected in all victims.
However, authorities were unable to identify where the acid came from.
Prosecutors found that the restaurant staff improperly stored the flat rice noodles at room temperature instead of refrigerating them as required.
According to prosecutors, two chefs and an intern “carelessly placed” opened packages of flat rice noodles in a storage basket on the lower shelf of a kitchen table, near the floor and drainage system, at room temperature.
Legal Consequences
In January 2025, five individuals connected to Polam Kopitiam were indicted for negligent homicide, negligent injury, and violation of the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.
Those charged include the restaurant’s owner (surnamed Li), the manager of the Xinyi branch (surnamed Wang), two chefs (surnamed Chou and Ho), and an intern.
Prosecutors stated that Li, the owner, “failed to establish and enforce a food safety management system at the restaurant, attempted to shift blame after the incident and showed no remorse”.
Under Taiwan’s Criminal Code, negligent homicide carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment or a fine of up to NT$500,000 (S$20,210).
The trial of the five accused is ongoing.
Government Responds to Incident
The Control Yuan, Taiwan’s government watchdog agency, ordered the Taipei City Government to take corrective measures in January 2025, citing a lack of vigilance in managing the food poisoning incident.
Investigators found that after receiving notification about suspected food poisoning cases on 24 March 2024, city inspectors took five hours to arrive at the restaurant and failed to implement preventive measures such as recalling or retaining food items.
This delay allowed eight more customers to dine at the restaurant that day, all of whom later developed symptoms of food poisoning.
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